Classic North · 7 days
7 days, 6 nights: Hanoi (2N), Ninh Binh (2N), Ha Long Bay (2N). Best time to go: Best Oct–Apr.
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Hanoi
- Old Quarter street-food walk · 3 h. Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.
- Train Street café stop · 1 h. Watch from a café — walking on the tracks is restricted.
Local tip: Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.
Day 2: Explore Hanoi
Hanoi
- Temple of Literature · 1.5 h
- Egg coffee & café crawl · 1.5 h
- Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple · 1.5 h. Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.
- Thang Long water puppet show · 1 h. Book a day ahead in Dec–Feb peak.
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & One Pillar Pagoda · 2 h. Mornings only, shoulders/knees covered; closed some Mondays and Fridays.
Local tip: Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.
Day 3: Hanoi → Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh · Hanoi to Ninh Binh, Private van ~2h
- Trang An boat ride through caves · 2.5 h. Start by 8am to beat tour buses.
- Tam Coc rowing boat · 2 h. Late May–June the rice is golden.
Local tip: Start by 8am to beat tour buses.
Day 4: Explore Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh
- Mua Cave viewpoint climb · 1.5 h. ~500 steps; go for sunset.
- Hoa Lu ancient capital temples · 1.5 h
- Bai Dinh Pagoda complex · 2 h
- Cycling through rice fields · 2 h
Local tip: ~500 steps; go for sunset.
Day 5: Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay · Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay, Private transfer ~3h
- Ha Long / Lan Ha Bay overnight cruise · Full day. Lan Ha routes are quieter; pick free cancellation in Aug–Oct typhoon season.
- Kayaking & Sung Sot cave · 2 h. Usually included on cruises — confirm before paying extra.
Local tip: Lan Ha routes are quieter; pick free cancellation in Aug–Oct typhoon season.
Day 6: Explore Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay
- Ti Top Island viewpoint · 1.5 h
- Sun World Ha Long Queen cable car · 2 h
Day 7: Depart from Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Hanoi (2 nights): Hoan Kiem boutique stays. Quiet lanes, still walkable to the Old Quarter.
- Ninh Binh (2 nights): Tam Coc / Hoa Lu boutique lodges. Pools and karst views, close to both boat rides.
- Ha Long Bay (2 nights): On-board cruise cabin (Lan Ha / Ha Long). Your cruise ticket includes the cabin night.